Dykema tops Lamb in 8th Middlesex

State Rep. Carolyn Dykema, D-Holliston, won a decisive victory in the 8th Middlesex District yesterday over Republican challenger Marty Lamb.

The incumbent prevailed by a vote of 14,096 to 8,882, according to a final count not available until this morning.

Ms. Dykema won in all towns in the district: Holliston, Southboro, Westboro (Precinct 2 only) and Hopkinton. The voting machine in Precinct 1 in Hopkinton broke and officials were counting those ballots by hand late last night.

Ms. Dykema was slow to declare a victory last night. Mr. Lamb, however, called Ms. Dykema to concede and congratulate her about 10:15 p.m. Mr. Lamb had previously challenged U.S. Rep. James McGovern.

“I'm really proud of the campaign we ran,” Ms. Dykema said after Mr. Lamb's call. “It's an honor to serve the district and I am really happy to be re-elected.”

“There's still some hand counting ballots from one precinct, but even if I won 100 percent of the vote, no miracles are going to happen tonight,” Mr. Lamb said.

“I just want to thank all of my campaign volunteers from the bottom of my heart. We ran a good campaign and they were the best volunteers a candidate could wish for,” he said.

Mr. Lamb said he had hoped to bring fresh ideas and leadership to the Statehouse and would have worked to create a business-friendly environment.

Ms. Dykema said she wished Mr. Lamb luck in his future endeavors.

Ms. Dykema, first elected to the House of Representatives in 2008, has strived to find state programs and opportunities to benefit residents and businesses.

Ms. Dykema said she is ready to take on the challenges facing the district and the state in the next few years, including job creation, improving education and increasing the efficiency of government services.